Wind velocity indicator



Oct. 21, 1941.

R. R. CHAPPELL ETAL ,259,615

WIND vEiocI'rY INDICATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Nov. 16, 1938 PabokRC/za ell Edger B13011 awe/"MS.

Oct. 21, 1941- R. R. CHAPPELL EIAL 2,259,615

WIND VELOCITY INDICATOR A Original Filed Nov. 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 47 7 7 sal/ H 77 m 62 o f 6/ I K &\\\ gw, 62\ a! I \e M! h- 58 Autosyn. Receiver Autosgn. ransmitter Velocit" Ind/ca lor Magnetic Coil no). 60 ALL I 85 Transformer Q'WWS Ralph C'lzappell Puig'r B Cold} Patented Oct. 21, 1941 WIND VELOCITY INDICATOR Ralph E. Chappell, Richmond, Va.,- and Butger B.

Colt, Baltimore, Md

@- ors to Bendix Aviation Corporation, South Bend, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Original application November 16, 1938, Serial No. 240,828. Divided and this application October '20, 1939, Serial No. 300,468

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to precision instruments and more particularly to mechanisms for measuring and transmitting indications of wind intensities or velocities, and is a division of copending application, Serial No. 240,828, filed November 16, 1938.

The invention embodies a novel system wherein parts of the system can be disconnected when an indication of the wind velocity is not desired and wherein the parts are brought into operating condition promptly as soon as the disconnected parts are reconnected into the system.

In similar devices of the prior art wherein the rotating element of a wind velocity measuring device was utilized in conjunction with selfsynchronous devices such as Autosyn" motors for transmitting an indication of wind velocity to a remote point, the rotor of the Autosyn transmitter was originally connected to the rotating element of the wind velocity device and the remote "Autosyn" receiver was connected to the indicator by suitable means for changing continuous rotation to a relatively stationary indication. When no reading was desired the Autosyns" were de-energized so that only the transmitter rotor was rotated. when a reading was desired at the remote indicator, the Autosyns were re-energized but the rotor of the receiving Autosyn would not assume in-step" position with the rotor of the "Autosyn transmitter, but would merely oscillate and chatter whenever the speed of rotation of the rotor of the Autosyn" transmitter as above a certain value. It was only at a very low wind velocity that the remote Autosyn" receiver could, withvelocity measuring system comprising a rotating anemometer shaft, a self-synchronous transmitter, a self-synchronous receiver electrically connected to said transmitter, and magnetic clutch means for connecting said shaft and said transmitter, whereby said receiver and transmitter are retained in synchronism.

out the use of other devices, be brought up to speed and then utilized to produce a remote indication of the wind velocity.

Further, in devices of the prior art, various complicated timing devices and mechanical interconnecting systems were utilized to convert the continuous rotation of the rotating cup shaft into a relatively ,stationary indication of a pointer for indicating the relative velocity.

The novel arrangement of the present invention provides a simple and effective means for converting the continuous rotation of the anemometer cup shaft into a relatively stationary pointer indication of the wind velocity.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel wind velocity measuring and indicating system whereby the foregoing undesirable characteristics are eliminated.

Another object is to provide a novel wind The above and further objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows. taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein.- is illustrated one embodiment of the invention. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only, and are not designed as a dellnition of the limits of the invention, reference being primarily had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, in section, illustrating one form of the transmitting end of the novel wind velocity measuring and indicating syste Fig. 2 is a side elevation, in section illustrating one form of the receiving end of the novel system; and

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the complete novel system embodying the present invention.

In the drawings, the intention is illustrated as applied to a wind-cup type anemometer, although it is to be expressly understood that any type of rotating anemometer may be utilized.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, a plurality of cups III are mounted on arms ll extending radially from the hub l2 which is secured to a shaft or spindle I! between a screw cap it and a collar Ii fastened to said shaft by pin Ito, said cups being designed to rotate said spindle at a speed bearing a known proportion to the velocity of the wind impinging thereon. spindle II is mounted concentrically with a housing It and is rotatably supported thereby by thrust ball-bearing I1 and is guided by aguide bearing formed in the bushing II. A skirt or shield II is secured to hub l2 by means of screws 2| and serves to prevent entrance of dust or moisture into the thrust hearing.

A casing 2| is mounted by means of the circular rim 22 thereof and screws 23 upon a ringshaped member 24 fastened to the housing It at screws 34.

an extension thereof by bolts 25. The rotor and stator of a well-known self-synchronous device such as an Autosyn" motor transmitter "are mounted within the casing 2| with the shaft 28 ofthe rotor of said "Autosyn transmitter extending outside the casing 2|. A cover-plate 21 is fastened to the housing It by screws 28 and cooperates with a gasket 28 to seal the opening in the side of casing l8 through which the Autosyn" is inserted. The housing 15 is supplied with a depending socket 38 whereby the housing may be secured by means of screws 3| to a stud 3la, mounted on the mast of a ship or other suitable support.

The novel means of the present invention comprise means for connecting the rotatable shaft l8 with the shaft 450.

to the rotor of the Autosyn transmitter where by the rotor can be brought gradually up to the speed of the rotating shaft I3 and kept in step therewith. These means comprise a magnetic coil 32 held in place against the bushing I8 by means of a retaining plate 33 and flat head A rotatable element comprising a center section 35 of magnetic material surrounded by a concentric ring 38 of non-magnetic material and carrying a concentric ring 31 of magnetic material is mounted on a pin 38 which is driven into an opening concentrically located in shaft l3 for rotation therewith. An armature spaced from the magnetic element is constructed in the form of a disc 39 carrying pins 48 and is loosely mounted on a plate 4| with the pins 48 inserted through openings 42 in said plate. Plate 4| is fastened to a bushing 43 which is connected by screw 44 to the shaft 28 of the Autosyn rotor whereby, upon rotation of the disc 39, the plate 4| and the rotor of the Autosyn transmitter are rotated.

Upon energization of the coil 32, the magnetic flux will tend to follow the shortest path and will pass from the coil 32 through the shaft l3, pin 38 and center section 35, the air-gap between the rotatable element and the armature, the armature 33, the outer ring 31 and back to coil 32. A magnetic linkage is thereby provided between shaft l3 and the armature 39 whereby the armature is connected by the equivalent of a slipping clutchto the rotatable shaft l3.

Referring to Fig. 2 there is illustrated therein the receiver of the novel wind velocity measuring system and, as shown, comprises a casing 45, enclosing the usual rotor and stator of an Autosyn motor, said "Autosyn being the same as the transmitting "Autosyn. Shaft 45a of the rotor extends outside of the casing 45 which is mounted in operative position in the indicator instrument casing 48 by means of an annular plate 41 held in abutting position with shoulder 48' of casing 48 by screws 48a cooperating with threaded elements 49 in said plate.

An annular plate 58 is mounted within the casing 48 by means of bolt 5i passing through a A bushing 8| is mounted on shaft 450 by means of a screw 82 and carries thereon for rotation therewith a circular plate 53. A dished element 84 provided with a flange 84a is connected to the bushing 8| and holds the magnetic element 85 in operative position between the plate 83 and flange 84a. The magnet is constructed in the form of a ring with an air-gap, whereby the usual polarities are provided therein.

The drag element cooperating with the magnet 85 is constructed in the form of a metallic cup 88 with a circularopening 88a formed in the bottom thereof and a leg 81 integral with the cup wall, ofiset therefrom and radial to said opening 88a. The drag element is so located with respect to the magnet that the walls of the cup surround the magnet. Passing through an opening in the leg 81 and fastened thereto by the nut 88, is a bushing 89 fastened to a shaft 18 carrying at one end thereof a pointer 'H movable angularly over the dial plate 55 in the usual manner of indicators, to indicate wind velocity.

An arm 12 is fastened to the field cup 59 and carries the bushing 13 threaded into an opening therein. An adjustable arm 14 is adjustably fastened in position on bushing 13 by nut 15.

A spiral spring I8 surrounding the shaft 18 is attached to said shaft at one end thereof, the other end of said spring being attachedto'an adjustable arm 14. Shaft 18, carrying the drag element 88, is ,ioumalled at one end thereof in the bearing 58a and is journalled adjacent the other end in the bushing 13.

A cover-glass 11 is held in position by a split ring element I8 and seals the open end of the casing 48.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is illustrated therein the wiring diagram of the transmitting and receiving Autosyns.

Terminals IT, 2T and 3T at the transmitter are connected to the corresponding terminals IR, 2B, and 31?. at the receiver by the conductors I9, 88 and 8|, respectively. Terminals AT and GT are connected with terminals AR and GR by conductors 82 and 83, respectively, and the terminals AR and GR. are connected to the low voltage side of a transformer 84, which is connected at the high voltage side to any desirable source of electrical energy such as a 110 volt 60 cycle A. C. source as indicated.

The circuit of the magneticcoil 32 is traced as follows:

Conductor 85 leads from one terminal of the low voltage side of the transformer 84 to switch 88 located preferably adjacent the indicating instrument of the wind velocity measuring and indicating system. A conductor 81 leads from switch 88 to one side of the magnetic coil 32 while the other side of said coil is connected by spacer 52 and fastened in a screw-threaded shoulder 58:: on one of the spacer-bolts and the plate 58 and is held in position by nuts 58 cooperating with lugs 59a on the field cup. A narrow arm 88 is attached to the field cup 59 and carries conductors 83 and 88 to the other terminal of the low voltage side of transformer 84. By closing the switch 88, the magnetic coil 32 is energized to produce flux passing through shaft I3, pin 38,

section 35 of the rotatable element, armature 39,

- outer-section 31 of the rotatable element back to coil 32, whereby armature 39 (see Fig. 1) is magnetically coupled with the shaft l3 to provide a magnetic slipping clutch between the shaft l3 connected to the anemometer cups and the rotor of the transmitting Autosyn." The transmitting and receiving Autosyns" are continuously energized even when the switch 88 is open so that the rotors of the two Autosyns are kept in perfeet synchronism. By opening switch 33 the rotation of the rotors is prevented, since shaft 13 is no longer connected by the magnetic clutch to armature 39, and wear and tear on the Autosyns" is thereby eliminated during those periods in which no reading is desired, but it is to be specifically noted that the rotors of the transmitting and receiving Autosyns" are continuously maintained in synchronized position.

Th operation of the system is as follows:

Assuming that the Autosyns" are energized and switch 86 is open, cups l are moved by the wind impinging thereon to thereby rotate the armsl l, hub 12 and shaft l3 at a rate proportional to the wind velocity. Rotation of shaft l3 rotates the elements comprising the sections 35, 36, and 31. Since the coil 32 is de-energized there is no magnetic flux linking the shaft 13 and the armature 39. The shaft l3 rotates, therefore, without in any manner affecting the rotor of the transmitting Autosyn 2|. Since Autosyns 2| and 45 are energized, the rotors thereof are stationary but in synchronous relation with each other. When a reading of the wind velocity is desired at the indicator l6, switch 86 is closed to thereby energize the coil 32 whereby flux passes from the coil through shaft l3, pin 38, the inner core 35 of the rotatable element, armature 39, the outer core 31 of the rotatable element and back to the coil 32. Rotation of shaft l3 thereby rotates the armature 39 by means of the magnetic coupling connection which serves as a magnetic clutch, whereby the armature 39 is gradually brought up to the speed of the shaft [3. Armature 39 is connected by pins 40 to the plate 4|, whereby the rotation of the armature is conveyed to the plate 4| the rotation of which is transmitted by bushing 43 to shaft 26 of th rotor of the transmitting Autosyn." The rotation of the Autosyn rotor induces currents in the stator by the well-known Autosyn principle, which cur-- rents are transmitted by conductors I9, 30 and ill, (see Fig. 3) to the receiving-Autosyn whereby the rotor of the receiver is rotated continuously and in synchronism with the rotor of the transmitter. 4

Rotation of the receiver rotor rotates shaft 45a. (see Fig. 2), bushing 6|, plate 63 and dished element 64 to therebyrotate the magnet 65 in synchronism with the transmitting rotor and the shaft l3. Rotation of magnet 65 induces currents in the drag-element 68, whereby the drag element begins to rotate with the rotation of the magnet. Such attempted rotation of drag element 66 partially rotates the shaft whereby a strain is placed upon the spiral spring 16 attached to the adjustable and I4. The amount of strain placed on the spring at any position of the shaft 19 may be adjusted by adjusting the arm 14. The more rapidly the magnet 65 is rotated. the greater the amount the drag element is rotated in the same direction, which rotation is transmitted to the shaft 19. The spring 16 places a load upon the shaft so that the amount of rotation of shaft 10 becomes proportional to the speed of rotation of the magnet.

Since magnet 65 is rotating ata speed proportional to the speed of rotation of shaft l3 driven by the wind cups, the drag element 66, shaft 10 and pointer H are rotated to a position proportional to the wind velocitv. so that pointer ll presents a relatively stationary indication of the value of the wind velocity on the dial 55. The magnetic coupling between the rotor of the receiving Autosyn and the shaft 10 provides a simple and reliable means for transforming the continuous rotation of the Autosyn rotor to a relatively stationary indication of pointer H. In this manner, complicated make and break systems of the prior art are replaced by continuously rotating "Autosyns and the continuous rotation of the Autosyns is converted to a relatively stationary indication of the wind velocity by simple and inexpensive means.

When a reading is no longer desired, the switch 86 is opened and the rotors of the Autosyns gradually come to rest but in relative positions that are perfectly synchronized and maintained.

Although only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, various changes and modifications in form, materials, and relative arrangements of parts, which will now appear to those skilled in the art, may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Reference is, therefore, to be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A wind intensity indicating system comprising a rotating cup anemometer, a shaft connected to said anemometer for rotation therewith, a stationary magnetic coil surrounding said shaft, a source of electrical energy, means for connecting said source to said coil, self-synchronous means comprising a rotor and a stator, a perforated disc connected to said rotor, an armature, a plurality of pins in said armature projecting into said disc perforations, and a magnetizable member mounted for rotation with said shaft adjacent said armature and within the field of said coil.

2. In a device of the character described, a rotating cup anemometer, a shaft connected to said anemometer, a stationarycoil surrounding said shaft, a source of electrical energy, means including a switch connecting said source tosaid coil, a self-synchronous device comprising a rotor and stator, a magnetic armature connected to said rotor for rotation thereby, and means comprising alternate magnetic and non-magnetic sections connected to said shaft in the field of said coil and adjacent said armature whereby, upon energization of said coil, said last-named means and armature are magnetically interlinked to thereby produce rotation of said rotor upon rotation of said shaft.

3. In a device of the character described, a rotating cup anemometer, a shaft connected to said anemometer, a stationary coil surrounding said shaft, control means comprising a rotatable element, an armature connected to said element, means comprising alternate magnetic and nonmagnetic sections adjacent said coil and armature and mounted on said shaft for rotationtherewitn,

and means for energizing said coil whereby flux interlinks said means comprising the alternate sections and said armature to provide a magnetic clutch connection between said shaft and said rotatable element.

RALPH R. CHAPPELL. RUTGER B. COLT. 

